Deserts & Kasbahs Tour

Our journey takes us from the noise and mayhem of the Fes medina, with its famed leather tanneries to the silence at the great sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. We visit the spectacular Todra Gorge and travel along the "Valley of 1000 Kasbahs" to the great city of Marrakech. Then we have a chance to relax at the beautiful old Portuguese fishing port of Essaouira on the Atlantic Coast.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Minimum Group Size: 4
Maximum Group Size: 15
Arrival Transfer: Airport transfer to hotel day 1
Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, services of local guides
Transport: 1st class aircon train, minibus, public air-conditioned coach
Activities: Extensive walking, optional camel ride
Accommodation: 12 nights tourist class hotels, 2 nights Berber tent camp
Meals: As per itinerary. B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner
Entrance Fees: Included for all sites listed as part of the itinerary

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Berber camp on the edge of the Sahara
• Relax on the Atlantic Coast in Essaouira
• Explore the Imperial Cities of Fes, Meknes & Marrakech

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 2: CASABLANCA – FES: Free morning before taking the train to Fes. (B)

Day 3: FES: A guided walking tour of the medina and souks (markets), including the leather tanneries, noted as much for their overpowering smell as for their spectacle! (B)

Day 4: MEKNES – VOLUBILIS: Though not as large as Fes, Meknes has a charm of its own and is far less frequented by travellers. We have time to explore before continuing to the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Return to Fes for the night. (B)

Day 5: FES - ERG CHEBBI: A long day’s journey across the Middle Atlas Mountains, via the remarkable rock formations of the Ziz Gorge. Continue to the western fringe of the Sahara Desert where we stay for two nights amongst the great dunes of Erg Chebbi in a Berber-style camp. (B)

Day 6: ERG CHEBBI: Enjoy sunrise over the dunes. This morning there is the option to take a 4WD excursion to some of the surrounding villages to see how people live in this desert environment. In the afternoon we have the chance to take an overnight camel ride into the great dunes. (B)

Day 7: ERG CHEBBI - TODRA GORGE: Leaving the eastern desert region we continue to Tinerhir and the Todra Valley. (B)

Day 8: TODRA GORGE: Morning walk through the lovely Todra Valley palmery. Afternoon to explore the spectacular Todra Gorge, a deep chasm cutting through the desert mountains. (B)

Day 9:‘VALLEY OF 1000 KASBAHS’ – AIT BEN HADDOU: Journey along the ‘Valley of 1000 kasbahs’ to the desert city of Ouarzazate and visit the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou. (BD)

Day 10: ESSAOUIRA: Today we travel to the Atlantic Coast and the 18th century Portuguese fishing port of Essaouira. Plenty of opportunities to sample the local seafood, take walks on the beach out to the ruined castle, or watch sunset from the ramparts. (B)

Day 11: ESSAOUIRA: A full day to explore this whitewashed city, famous for its woodwork shops, or relax on the beach. (B)

Day 12: MARRAKECH: Travel to the legendary city of Marrakech, once the great meeting place for Morocco’s remote tribes. (B)

Day 13: MARRAKECH: A full day to explore this exotic city. (B)

Day 14: CASABLANCA: Return to Casablanca. (B)

Day 15: CASABLANCA: Tour ends. (B)

DEPARTURE DATES

TRAVEL STYLE

You love to experience the culture and tradition of a destination but with a level of comfort and organisation that won't test your endurance. Explore without roughing it.

Maximum Group Size - 15: You love to experience the culture and tradition of a destination but with a level of inclusions, comfort and organisation that won't test your endurance. You enjoy the freedom of using privately charted vehicles but also understand that sometimes the best way to go is 'local'. Whether a seasoned or a first time traveller, you love to explore without roughing it.
Tour Extensions: Traveller-class Extension tours are non-group tours, available on request.
Included: All accommodation (usually in comfortable tourist class hotels on a twin share basis), transportation, many meals, and all entrance fees as included in the itinerary.
Single Supplement: (applicable to single travellers who wish to have their own room) Usually available and usually not compulsory (check your specific tour for details). Please note: Single supplements do not apply on all boats, overnight train journeys and whilst camping.[Read more about Imaginative Traveller travel styles]